Aggie Saves Encourages a Habit of Lifelong Financial Health

Utah State University was recently chosen as one of three universities nationwide to participate in a Campus Saves initiative to help all in the university community build assets, reduce debt and create long-term financial security.

 

“The Consumer Federation of America’s national social marketing campaign America Saves works with communities around the country to promote saving and debt reduction,” said Nancy Register, associate director of the CFA). “With the national saving rate below zero, it is time for everybody to assess their saving behavior and start saving regularly and automatically, no matter what your goal is.

 

“This year, America Saves teamed up with the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education to bring this financial action message to college campuses. Utah State University was selected because of its commitment to personal finance education, the support of the faculty and the enthusiasm of its students.”

 

Organizers said America Saves is excited to work with the students and faculty at USU to develop a model for other campus-based campaigns for America Saves Week 2008.

 

The Campus Saves campaign at USU — Aggie Saves — encourages USU faculty, staff and especially USU students, to start saving money regularly as they work toward a goal. By saving regularly, Aggie Saves knows that students, faculty and staff will build a habit that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

 

Alena Johnson, instructor of the popular family finance class on campus, commented on the program.

 

“The Aggie Saves program is a great opportunity for everyone to set financial goals and start some new, important financial habits that will benefit them for a lifetime,” Johnson said.

 

Jean Lown, USU professor and Aggie Saves coordinator, outlined the objective of the Aggie Saves campaign.

 

“Aggie Saves is designed to help individuals and families get [their savings] started with small amounts of money,” she said.

 

Lown also noted that for many families building emergency savings should be a priority.

 

 “It is essential for families to build an emergency savings fund to protect against unforeseen financial problems.”

 

Aggie Saves is part of Utah Saves’ broad-based community effort that involves more than 70 non-profits, financial institutions, credit counseling organizations, employers, government agencies and faith-based groups.

 

“USU is happy to be a part of this effort which encourages individuals to develop sound financial habits,” said USU President Stan Albrecht. “The importance of these efforts is magnified by the current state of economic uncertainty in our nation.”

 

Modeled after the nationwide America Saves campaign, Utah Saves is directed and supported by United Way of Salt Lake.

 

Utah Saves fulfills its mission through:

 

Public Awareness
Through mass media and grassroots efforts, Utah Saves helps create widespread public awareness that saving money and planning for your financial security are both essential and possible.

 

Coordination
Utah Saves integrates and centralizes the many great financial education and wealth-building programs already available locally. Through a toll-free financial information line, and its Web site (www.utahsaves.org), Utah Saves provides a safe gateway for all students, faculty and staff at any income level to find the specific tools they need to improve their financial stability.

 

Aggie Saves recognizes that saving money can be a challenge.

 

That’s why, in coordination with Utah Saves, Aggie Saves offers the following tools and support services to help you reach your savings goals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the tools and services above, Aggie Saves has teamed with the USU Family Life Center Housing and Financial Counseling Services to offer a free financial counseling session for any Aggie Saver who desires counseling and education regarding their Aggie Saves’ savings goal. 

 

Cindy Stokes, co-director of the Housing and Financial Counseling Services program at the Family Life Center, is optimistic about the Aggie Saves initiative.

 

“The Housing and Financial Counseling Services program is excited by the work the Aggie Saves campaign is doing” Stokes said. “Most financial management clients come through our doors seeking counseling because they haven’t developed the habits Aggie Saves encourages. We are pleased to provide financial education and counseling to anyone who wants help in meeting their goals. [In addition to counseling], we also offer monthly homeownership education workshops for first time home buyers.”

 

To make an appointment, call the Family Life Center at (435) 797-7224.

 

Additionally, if you would like an Aggie Saves’ representative to present a short educational seminar to a group or club with which you are associated, feel free to contact Jean Lown by phone at (435) 797-1569 or by email.

 

Aggie Saves encourages all students, faculty and staff to participate in America Saves Week from Feb. 24 through March 2 by committing to reaching a financial goal and signing up as an Aggie Saver.

 

The week will kick off with booths, door prizes and free food Monday, Feb. 25, in the TSC Ballroom from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information and to become an Aggie Saver join the gathering in the Ballroom or visit the Aggie Saves Web site.

 

 

 

Writer and contact: Adam Galovan, adam.galovan@aggiemail.usu.edu
Contact: Jean Lown, (435) 797-1569, jean.lown@usu.edu